Alisa Suturin, M.Sc.
Alisa is developing a 3D-bioprintable hydrogel system to mimic cartilage tissue. By using microgel rods that align with magnetic fields and that are embedded in a PEG-based matrix, she aims to obtain an anisotropic microgel-in-gel system with spatially graded architecture to mimic the complex structure of native cartilage. For 3D bioprinting, the PEG-based bioink will be printed layer-by-layer together with chondrocytes, the magneto-responsive microgel rods, specific growth factors, and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These layers will vary in cell density, orientation, biochemical stimuli, concentration of ECM components, and other factors. Thereby, a construct will be obtained that mimics the hierarchical architecture, as well as the native composition of cartilage tissue, to promote chondrogenesis.
Alisa Suturin is part of the RG De Laporte.